Wildlife with beach vacationsTours & vacations in 2016 & 2017

For many responsible travelers the chance to encounter animals whilst away from home is pretty much as good as it gets with safaris in national parks and guided nature trails certainly not to be missed. Africa's Mafia islands, Thailand's marine reserves and the rainforests of Madagascar all offer wonderful wildlife experience, with the added bonus of a nearby beach helping to increase excitement levels way beyond your wildest dreams.

Tailor made:Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way

Tailor made:Everything is tweak-able, giving you the freedom to build a unique and personal trip for your chosen date. Upgrade your accommodation for all - or just part - of your trip, slow down the pace with few extra nights here and there or add a few more active adventures along the way

Special Offer - Only a £150 per person deposit required to book your 2017 holiday

reviews for Wildlife with beach vacations

You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the vacations. In addition, we don't run these vacations ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice. Read our review policy

I am reborn! Simply the best vacation I have ever been on

Some great stories to tell the grandchildren. Would recommend to a friend

It was all exciting really from the beautiful beachside hotels to the wildlife parks. At Palagama beach the food was amazing especially when I was shown their own vegetable garden and we picked fresh vegetables that were cooked as individual curries for my dinner that evening. I felt as if I had been away for at least a month - I had seen and done so much in that two weeks. (more)Susie Barrett

So many memorable moments... the boat trips, the snorkeling (including seeing 15-20 manta rays which was unforgettable), the komodo dragons, watching the sunset and fruit bats fly from the roof of the boat... (more)Emma Coe

The boat trip that the Eco Lodge organised to Rinca and Komodo Island was really lovely. The food was amazing (how he did that magic in a boat is beyond me) and the snorkelling was easily the best I've ever done - we saw Turtles, Rays, Scorpion Fish, beautiful coral and a whole host of gorgeous sea life. (more)Jessica Southworth

A marvellous vacation that exceeded expectations in all areas! Most memorable was the incredible wildlife in both Selous and Ruaha national Parks, plus the coral reefs we saw around Mafia Island - truly spectacular. Lack of other tourists was a major plus.
(more)Liz Taylor

Everything was wonderful. The setting perhaps captures most of it - staying in beautiful places in the midst of the national parks and conservation areas, where the animals were everywhere (from in camp to close by during game drives). (more)Laura Dukess

We were lucky enough to see a cheetah hunting a gazelle. Unfortunately the cheetah was unsuccessful but it made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck and you really felt the thrill of the chase watching the animals in action. (more)Ilana Howley

Whale Watching and Wildlife Safari was the most memorable part of this trip (more)Phil Miller

The accommodation was the most luxurious, most welcoming, most helpful place we have ever stayed in; and the walks through the tea estate with idyllic views of the reservoir and surrounding hills, both relaxing and inspiring.
(more)Ruth Le Guen

Memorable parts?
Difficult to say as all four venues were wonderful but Pangkor Laut Island was just perfect. Not cheap but worth it, the resort and staff were absolutely fantastic, definitely a 5 star location.
Tips?
Bear in mind the travel required, most transfers were around three hours so this can eat into a day in soom places so book an extra night where you think you may not have enough time but on the whole 2 or 3 nights is plenty to get a good view of all the areas.
Local... (more)Julie Dyson

Memorable parts?
Getting up close and personal with the animals both on safari, especially in Ndutu where it is possible to off road, but also in the tented accommodation where we were surrounded by frolicking vervet monkeys, bush babies, mongooses and even a herd of elephants on one particularly memorable morning!
Tips?
Opt for the tented accommodation options - they were our favourites.
Local benefits?
We were pleased that the company was Kenyan-owned, and that we were... (more)Natalie Sayers

Memorable parts?
Too many to mention but the safari parts of the vacation were certainly the highlight.
Tips?
Take a pair of binoculars - and good ones - we had one less good pair but we were very glad we were not fighting to see the animals also take more memory cards for your camera than you think you will need.
Local benefits?
Everywhere we stayed was environmentally aware and hugely educational for us and the local population.
Overall rating?
Absolutely life changing... (more)alice crawley

Botswana was the best. We want to go back today!! One of the most memorable moments is arriving in our first camp, and barely two hours later, sitting on a Land Rover just meters from a male lion, and nothing between him and us! Just amazing! (more)Dirk Bettels

Memorable parts?
We experienced the real Maldives, met local people and learnt about their kindness and dignity. We accepted their costumes and in exchange they showed us beautiful places. Often the local beach in the island was exclusively for us. Islands and the sea are amazing, every snorkel, dive or boat trip is a magic surprise.
Tips?
Be ready to accept what is offered to you and to abide to local rules, no fancy clothing required, water activities will take up most of your time.... (more)Veronica Vigano

The most memorable part was on a small boat from the Myne Lodge on the Kinabatangan River and our expert guide taking us close enough to see a herd of Elephants come crashing thro the elephant grass to swim in the river, mothers playing with their youngsters giving us a thoroughly life changing experience! (more)Chris Turner

Seeing animals in their natural environment and seeing an orangutan in the wild so close for the first time....Don't hesitate GO. (more)Yvonne Jones

It was all amazing but the highlight was staying at Rain Forest lodge in the Danum valley... it was a magical place in a superb location. Be prepared to be walking in extremely hot & humid environments, it is quite challenging at times but well worth it. (more)Jennifer Hares

Madagascar proved such an outstanding destination that it almost seems unfair to single out particular highlights...Ace. We loved it from first to last. We covered a great deal of ground and saw so much for the first time.
(more)Maggie Wood

The 7 hour night trek (two hours in pirogue up river each way) to look at Madagascar wildlife in the rainforest, most of which in pouring rain, with a very good guide was the highlight. (more)Ann Monk

It was all memorable and all locations were different. That was the purpose of booking a variety of areas. That said, we went to see wildlife and this criteria was mostly ticked and very memorable. (more)Jan Jupp

Volunteering at the orphanage - it was just an unforgettable experience, there are no words to describe it...you have to live it!! The kids are amazing and I will miss them so much!!! (more)Cristina Piccolo

Visiting Chew Lorn Lake, swimming there, staying in the raft houses, and walking in the nearby forest were the highlights. (more)Stephanie Bunt

There are very many wonderful bits to the vacation. I particularly enjoyed my time in Lesotho and the town tour there and the township tour in Oudtshoorn. I was very thrilled by the countryside. (more)Christine Ketchen

Memorable parts?
Orang'utans at Semengohh, and staying with the Iban tribe at their lodge.
Tips?
Take lots of memory for your camera as there will be lots of things to photo.
Local benefits?
Yes, our guide at the Iban lodge was from that actual tribe, so the money was going directly to the locals.
Overall rating?
The vacation was excellent and had some truly memorable moments, highly recommended.
(more)Antony Stanton

Memorable parts?
The night walk was a wonderful wildlife experience.
Meeting the Ticos and feeling their pride in their country and how welcome they made us feel as tourists/guests was really special
Tips?
Book in advance
Learn some basic Spanish
Take waterproof and warmer clothing than you think you may need for the volcanic area and cloud forest
Use a rucksack rather than a wheeled suitcase!
Use the Lonely Planet Guide
Local benefits?
Yes to all of those - certainly hope... (more)John Davies

Memorable parts?
The most memorable part of the vacation was visiting the National Parks in Madagascar.
Tips?
Beware of the tour description because it's deceiving. For example, day 4 of my tour was described as: "We will set off early this morning towards Antsirabe (via Tana)... Once in Tana, the journey takes approximately 3+ hours on a good,
windy road." Well, the reality is that the road has sections in such bad condition that the car could go no faster than 10 miles per hour,... (more)Alex Carballo-Dieguez